6 Products that Helped my Skincare routine (and Banking Account)
Skincare products and I don’t have a lot of history together. It wasn’t until I was 28 that a friend gently nudged me in the direction of moisturizers after seeing a small glimpse into my (lack of a) skincare regimen. No rinsing, no cleanser, no creams. Just me and my once a day Neutragena acne wipe. It wasn’t like I had perfect skin to justify it either. I had breakouts often but the only route to skincare I could find at the time was with super expensive products. (Pro tip* reading Gwyneth Paltrow’s skincare routine is not the best place to start) It wasn’t until a trip to Whole Foods (of all places) that I realized after buying two bottles of $10 moisturizers that I could actually afford a healthy skincare routine.
How effective those two bottles of moisturizer from Whole Foods were I will never know, but it kick-started me into discovering a skincare routine that worked for me. For those of you who love Keihl’s, I was too for a small amount of time. I live just a couple blocks away from one of their shops and actually do love the brand. After using their products for over a year and not seeing enough of a noticeable difference from other brands, I realized they just weren’t the right products for me.
I found this image so helpful to remember which order to use them. (I also keep them stored in this order as well. There are a few products on the list I haven’t started using yet, but the products I have settled on keep my skin healthy and breakout free. (And it’s not too bad on my banking account)
I’m not a skin guru, (though I do have a handful of friends in the beauty industry who help direct me along the way) I do think implementing a skincare routine is so helpful ESPECIALLY during this time of total disruption to our normal daily lives. I’ve found that it forces me to slow down and invest in myself. With each product needing time to marinate in, I brew my cup of coffee and enjoy it slowly in-between applications. It’s helped center me each morning in the wake of yet another day of navigating the unpredictability we live in. Everyone’s skin is different and will react differently to these products. So whether or not these help you find the right products to buy or just kickstart finding what’s right for you, I hope you find it helpful in slowing down and taking care of you.
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Creamy Facial Cleanser 12 fl oz $8.29
Without going to a dermatologist, it’s almost impossible to tell if you have sensitive skin or not. I’ve done trial and error to find out what works for my skin and this ultra gentle hydrating cleanser from Neutrogena has worked the best on my skin. Cleanser and moisturizer were the last two of my Keihl products to go and I’ve honestly felt just as happy with my Neutrogena products. This cleanser extremely mild and creamy that helps thoroughly remove excess oil, dirt, bacteria and makeup. Helpful for skin with acne, eczema or rosacea.
Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner Cleanser 8.5 fl oz - $6.99
I could immediately see a difference in my skin once I started using toner. Apply to freely cleansed skin to restore balance in your skin before the rest of your routine. Sometimes that can be out of whack pH level or imbalanced oil production when your skin is either too oily or too dry. It also helps get dry skin more hydrated. I’ve used this toner for years now but I’ve also hear great things about Thayer’s Facial Toner as well
Derma E Vitamin C Serum - 2 fl oz - $18.99
Serums are fairly new to my skincare regimen. I always equated them to something like a plumper and never thought I needed it. After a little more research, I realized serums are a lightweight moisturizer that contain an even higher concentration of active ingredients than toners. Typically used for targeting specific skin care concerns like wrinkles, they are also beneficial for hydrating, exfoliating, managing acne prone skin, brightening the appearance of dark spots, and of course, getting a little bit of that plump in!
Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel Cream 0.5oz - $12.09
The most problematic areas of my face are under my eyes. The skin around the eye is already more fragile and prone to dryness making it quicker to show age and fatigue and I’ve personally always had darker circles and extra wrinkles in this area. I’ve been using this Cetaphil Eye Gel-Cream now for a year and have seen a noticeable difference in the brightness under my eye. (It’s nice to not look so tired even after getting consecutive nights of great sleep!)
Neutrogena Oil Free Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 Sunscreen & Glycerin 4 fl oz - $9.99
Moisturizer has really been the star of the show for me and for many women with great skin. I’ve read articles where women have claimed to moisturize several times a day. I stick to twice a day, sometimes three if I remember right after getting out of the shower. I like this Neutrogena oil free SPF 15 moisturizer because my skin tends to be on the oily side and I haven’t found an SPF for my face yet. (Please leave your faves in the comments!)
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream with Hyaluronic Acid 0.5 fl oz - $17.99
I’ve gone back and forth using retinol but I’m currently back on it. An esthetician friend recommended this as an inexpensive retinol to use because these products can get so pricey. After noticing some extra wrinkles under my eyes recently, I’ve decided to get back into the routine of using this Neutrogena rapid wrinkle repair eye cream and so far I’m loving it and really seeing difference in the appearance of those wrinkles.
